Thermal and Structural Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Silica/Alumina Composite Materials

Abstract

In the present study, Polylactic acid/ silicon dioxide (SiO2)/ alumina (Al2O3) composite films were produced by a casting method. Thermal, morphological, optical and structural properties of obtaining samples investigated. The addition of aluminum monoxide and silicon dioxide fillers in PLA matrix increases the glass transition temperature significantly, and the Al2O3 and SiO2 particles behave as good nucleating agents with PLA matrix. A homogeneous distribution of SiO2 and Al2O3 particles was observed in the composite films. XRD results revealed that the addition of SiO2 particles improved the crystallinity of PLA, knowing that the degree of crystallinity increase from 2.75% to 31.63% by adding the nucleating agents. The DSC results showed that the glass transition temperature increases by 12 °C in the composites than the pure PLA.